This study was performed to determine the antioxidant activity of the oven-dried paprika powder as affected by the color differences of paprika and to evaluate physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of pork patties with various levels of paprika powders. The total phenolic contents of the paprika were not affected by color and solvent (p>0.05). The methanol extracted paprika powder showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than water extracted counterpart, and no differences were observed at concentration of 0.5% as compared to the reference (ascorbic acid) (p>0.05). In all treatments, the iron chelating ability increased with increasing concentrations. At a concentration of 1.0%, methanol extracts of orange paprika (MOP) and water extracts of red paprika (WRP) were not different from the reference, (ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA). The paprika color and extraction solvent didn't affect reducing power of paprika powder at each concentration (p>0.05). Pork patties with red paprika powder were higher redness values than those with orange ones, regardless of addition level. The addition of red paprika increased the yellowness, and patties with 1.0% orange paprika powder showed the highest value. TBARS values were decreased with increasing paprika powder, especially, patties with 1.0% paprika powder were lower TBARS than those with 0.5% paprika powder, resulting in similar to those with ascorbic acid (p>0.05). Although the microbial counts increased with storage time, paprika powders did not inhibit microorganisms during storage. In conclusion, paprika powders could be used as a natural antioxidant in meat products, regardless of paprika color.

Lin, J. Y. and Tang, C. Y. (2007) Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents in selected fruits and vegetables, as well as their stimulatory effects on mouse splenocyte proliferation. Food Chem. 101, 140-147.